Training for a 21st Century Diplomacy

Feb 13, 2017

Dr. Najmedin Meshkati, a CPD Faculty Fellow and USC professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, holds joint appointments in the Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the USC School of International Relations. This intersection of interests led Meshkati to create an engineering diplomacy course at USC last fall.

GESM 131, a freshman general education seminar open to all majors, offered students a chance tackle global challenges ranging from climate change to food security. Participants emerged not only with knowledge of how science and technology are integral dimensions of 21st century diplomacy, but with concrete products to carry throughout their careers. For instance, Mustafa Mert Sezgen, a Senior in systems engineering, “submitted a plan to enhance the nuclear safety culture in the Black Sea region, and got the chance to pitch it to senior diplomats in Washington.”